Is the law helpful or harmful?

7 What should we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! But I would not have known sin if it were not for the law. For example, I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, Do not covet. 8 And sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind. For apart from the law sin is dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life again 10 and I died. The commandment that was meant for life resulted in death for me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.

Romans 7:7-12

Imagine for a moment going to the doctor for a routine checkup. You feel perfectly healthy. You’ve been eating well, exercising, sleeping, and haven’t noticed any major issues. But after a series of tests, the doctor sits you down and says, “You have a serious condition. If left untreated, it will lead to death.” Suddenly, your perspective changes. What once felt like health is now revealed as a hidden danger. The diagnosis is frightening, but it’s also the first step toward healing.

In a similar way, many of us feel spiritually healthy. We compare ourselves to others and think, “I’m not so bad. I’m a good person. I go to church, I give to charity, I try to live a moral life.” But then we’re confronted with God’s law—His perfect standard of holiness. And just like that doctor’s diagnosis, the law reveals something we didn’t want to see: the sin in our hearts. Sin we might not even realize is there. Suddenly, what felt like spiritual health is exposed as a hidden danger. The law acts like a spiritual x-ray, showing us the true condition of our souls.

This spiritual diagnosis is frightening, but it’s also the first step toward healing. Because once we see our sin for what it is, we’re faced with a choice: Do we run from it, trying to ignore the diagnosis? Or do we run to the One who can heal us—the One who offers forgiveness, freedom, and new life?

Here’s the question we’ll explore today: When God’s law exposes the sin in your heart, how will you respond? Will you run from it, or will you run to Jesus?

Today, we’ll see that When God’s law exposes the sin in your heart, don’t run from it – run to Jesus.

Is the law helpful or harmful?
1. The law is not sinful (Romans 7:7a).
2. The law exposes sin (Romans 7:7b-8).
3. The law provokes sin (Romans 7:9-11).
4. The law is holy (Romans 7:12).

The law is not sinful

[P] 7 What should we say [FAI] then?

[Q] Is the law sin?

Is it sin? Did the law miss the mark so to speak?

[A] [-] Absolutely [AMO] not!/May it never be!

In Romans 6:15-23, Paul wrote that believers are freed from sin.

In Romans 7:1-6, Paul wrote that believers are freed from the law.

In Romans 7:7-12, Paul refutes a false conclusion, is the law sinful.

Just because we are not bound to the law doesn’t mean the law is sinful.

But if the law is not sinful, what then is its purpose? Does the law merely sit idle, or does the law have a role to play in our lives? And if so, how does the law interact with the sin that dwells within us?

The law exposes sin

[+] But [E] I would not have known [AAI] sin

[C?] if it were not [for the law].

For example,

[E] I would not have known [LAI] what it is to covet

[C?] if the law had not said [IAI], Do not covet [FAI].

The law is like a x-ray machine – it reveals what is there.

The law is like a speed limit – it spells it out specifically.

Romans 7:7 cites Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21 – the Ten Commandments, the commandment not to covet in particular.

Haddon Robinson, Covetousness is simply craving more of what you have enough of already.

The law is like a sign that says “Wet paint. Do not touch.”

Roman culture was steeped in legalism and moralism, Jewish culture too. Where legalistic adherence was often seen as the path to righteousness Paul clarifies that the law exposes sin.

[P] 8 And sin, seizing [AAP] an opportunity [through the commandment],

produced [AMI] [in me coveting of every kind].

Sin is literally the sin (definite article in Greek). Sin is a person, personified as our mortal enemy. Not individual acts, but sin as a nature within us.

Sin uses the specific requirements of the law as a base of operation, sin takes the opportunity to launch its evil work.

Sin produces covertness. Greed. Lust. Lying. Genesis 3.

To sinful man, everything forbidden appears desirable. But yet, as it is forbidden, he feels that his freedom is limited. And so his lust rages more.

[G] For [apart from the law] sin is dead.

Paul is not saying that a person is without sin when there is no Law, but is emphasizing that the power of sin is not aroused to activity when there is no law. Without a commandment the sinfulness of sin is not realized.

The law exposes sin, and sin seizes the opportunity to produce disobedience.

But if the law exposes sin, what happens next? Does sin simply retreat, or does it fight back? And if it does, how does it use the very law that exposes it to its advantage?

The law provokes sin

[+] 9 Once I was alive [IAI] [apart from the law],

[-] but when the commandment came [AAP],

1.) sin sprang to life [AAI] again

2.) 10 and I died [AAI].

[C] [So] The commandment that was meant [API] for life]

[E] [resulted in death for me].

Paul felt spiritually healthy. He had no dread of punishment.

It was if the sinful nature became like a sleeping dog suddenly awakened.

God’s holy law convicts and “slays” the sinner!

Matthew 18:16-17, Just then someone came up and asked him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” he said to him. “There is only one who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

All a person needs to do to live and to inherit eternal life is to keep the law. Perfectly. And completely. And throughout his entire life!

[G] 11 For sin, seizing [AAP] an opportunity [through the commandment],

1.) deceived [AAI] me,

How does sin deceive?

Sin caused Paul to think he could live under the law.

Sin promises satisfaction.

Sin also falsely promises an escape from punishment.

2.) [S] and [through it killed me [AAI]].

The greatest deception of sin is that it ultimately leads to death, and sin’s victims don’t even see their doom coming.

The law provokes sin, and sin seizes the opportunity to deceptively bring death.

But if the law provokes sin and sin brings death, what does this mean for the law itself? Is it flawed, or is there something more to its purpose? And if the law is not the problem, what does that reveal about the nature of sin?

The law is holy

12 So then, 1.) the law is holy,

So then brings this section to a conclusion. Paul is answering the question raised in Romans 7:7 where he asked “Is the Law sin?”

God’s Law is perfect. A reflection of the One Who gave it.

In Romans 7:7-12, Paul describes how law the reveals sin which seizes the opportunity to produce transgression, deceive, and kill.

In Romans 7:13-25, Paul describes his experience of wanting to do what is good and finding himself doing what is sinful instead.

2.) [S] and the commandment 1.) is holy

2.) [S] and just

3.) [S] and good.

Holy, righteous and good – Expressing the character of the God Whose commandment it is.

The law is holy – Meaning set apart from the common and profane, full of purity, majesty, and glory because it’s Source is the Holy God.

The law is righteous – It is right, fair, impartial, equitable and straight.

The law is good – Meaning intrinsically good, inherently good in quality but with the idea of good which is also profitable, useful, benefiting others, benevolent.

So then, the law is holy, but sin is exceedingly sinful.

So then, the law is not sinful, but holy, just, and good—exposing and provoking sin, revealing sin’s deceitfulness and deadliness. But what does this mean for us today? How should we respond when the law exposes our sin? And where do we find hope when sin’s deception threatens to overwhelm us?

Connect to the gospel

The law is holy, just, and good, but cannot save. Instead, the law exposes and provokes sin, revealing sin’s deceitfulness and deadliness. The law drives us to Christ, who fulfilled the law, bore its curse, and died in our place. Through His death and resurrection, He delivers us from sin’s penalty, and sin’s power, giving us new life in Him.

Application for believers

1. Rejoice in Jesus. The law uncovers sin’s deceitfulness and deadliness. But Jesus delivers from sin’s penalty and power. Celebrate Him.

2. Examine your heart. The law reveal sin in your life. You are no longer under the law’s condemnation, but the law still helps you identify areas where you fall short. Regularly meditate on God’s law and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of sin in your life. Confess and repent of these sins.

3. Live in obedience. The law provokes sin, but the Holy Spirit empowers you to live in obedience to God. You are no longer under the law but under grace. When you are tempted, pray for the Spirit’s strength and seek accountability from fellow believers.

Memorise Scripture to combat sin.

Application for unbelievers

1. Acknowledge your sinfulness. The law exposes the sin in your heart, revealing that you fall short of God’s standard. No matter how moral or religious you may be, the law shows that you are guilty before God. Take time to reflect on the Ten Commandments and honestly assess how you have broken God’s law. Write down specific sins and confess them to God.

2. Recognize your need for a Saviour. The law cannot save you; it only condemns you. Your efforts to keep the law will never be enough to earn God’s favour. You need a Saviour who can fulfil the law on your behalf and take the punishment for your sins.

3. Respond to the Gospel today. The law drives you to Christ, who alone can deliver you from sin’s penalty and power. Do not delay in responding to the gospel. Today is the day of salvation.

Conclusion

Imagine for a moment going to the doctor for a routine checkup. You feel perfectly healthy. You’ve been eating well, exercising, sleeping, and haven’t noticed any major issues. But after a series of tests, the doctor sits you down and says, “You have a serious condition. If left untreated, it will lead to death.” Suddenly, your perspective changes. What once felt like health is now revealed as a hidden danger. The diagnosis is frightening.

In a similar way, many of us feel spiritually healthy. We compare ourselves to others and think, “I’m not so bad. I’m a good person. I go to church, I give to charity, I try to live a moral life.” But then we’re confronted with God’s law—His perfect standard of holiness. And just like that doctor’s diagnosis, the law reveals something we didn’t want to see: the sin in our hearts. Suddenly, what felt like spiritual health is exposed as a hidden danger.

This spiritual diagnosis is frightening, but it’s also the first step toward healing. Because once we see our sin for what it is, we’re faced with a choice: Do we run from it, trying to ignore the diagnosis? Or do we run to the One who can heal us—the One who offers forgiveness, and freedom?

God’s law exposes the sin in your heart. Don’t run from it, run to Jesus.

Don’t wait. Don’t delay. The stakes are too high. Sin is not just a minor issue – It’s a deadly condition that separates us from God. But Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, is ready to heal you. He bore the penalty for your sin on the cross, and He offers you new life today. Run to Him. Confess your sin. Turn from it. And receive the forgiveness and freedom that only He can give.

This is not just a call to action—it’s a call to life. The law has done its work: it has exposed your sin. But the gospel offers the solution: Jesus Christ. Don’t let this moment pass you by. Today is the day of salvation. Run to Him.

Amen.