How does the Law make us aware of our sin nature?
The Law makes us aware of the sin nature by giving God's perfect standard and condemning every person as guilty of breaking it. Paul writes that he would not have known the old sin nature except by the Law, nor known lust unless the Law said, 'Thou shalt not.'
Les explains that Romans 7 is tough, like eighth-grade arithmetic story problems that boggle the mind until the answer finally comes out. In Romans 7:7 Paul asks whether the Law is sin, and answers, "Banish the thought." The Law is not wicked; it reveals and condemns. Paul says he would not have known the old sin nature except by the Law, and he would not have known lust except the Law said, "Thou shalt not." So the Law condemned this religious Jew who thought he was keeping it. But sin, his old sin nature, taking occasion by the commandments, wrought in him all manner of contraptions, getting his mind broiling.
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.
More Questions
Is the Law itself sin or evil?
The Law is not sin or something wicked or evil — Paul rejects that idea outright.