What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

This is an interesting dialog here, with Paul throwing out a question and answering it. I bet the Apostle Paul heard these types of questions from time to time on his journeys. So he addresses this one here. The false logic goes …that if the law exists to point out our sinful behavior, then the law itself must be sinful. And so Paul handles this with ease. He uses his own experience and struggle with coveting to demonstrate how, while the law does point out sin and bring it to the forefront, it itself is not sin. It is our sinful nature that, once the law was known, sought to go against it.

I see this in my life too. It is tempting to break the rules. Why? Sometimes it is due to intrigue, other times I am wanting instant gratification in an area, and still other times I am trying to punish myself or someone else by sinning. Sin is deceptive and coaxes its way into our hearts with lies that promise fulfillment. So why is the law there? It points out sin in us, to help us to see our need for a Savior — in order to become righteous. On our own we are doomed. But there is hope in a righteous and good law, because behind it is a righteous and good God. And he is preparing a home of righteousness and goodness for those who are faithful and follow him.
Lord, thank you for your law that is truth. My heart, at times, pushes against your law. But I want to follow you wholeheartedly. I need you and your Spirit to change my heart from the inside out. Teach me Father God I pray.