How did Paul become aware of covetous desire according to Romans 7:7?
Paul became conscious of covetous desire only through the law. In Romans 7:7 he writes that he had not known lust or desire except the law had said, “Thou shalt not covet.” The commandment exposed and made known the coveting that otherwise would have remained unrecognized.
Les explains that Romans 7 is a difficult chapter where Paul describes the turmoil all experience—wanting to do right but not doing it, and doing what should not be done. In verse 7 Paul asks whether the law is sin, answers “God forbid,” and says he would not have known sin except by the law. He specifically had not known lust, that is, desire, except the law had said, “Thou shalt not covet.” Les teaches that coveting is at the root of breaking every one of the commandments, which is why Paul makes reference to it.
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.