The Law Spurs Further Desire To Sin (Romans 7:8)

Romans 7:8, "But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment, wrought in me all kinds of covetousness.  Apart from the law sin lies dead."


The law does not serve the purpose of curbing sin.  It offers no power to resist sin.  But our imagination lies deeply rooted in our nature that we are not so depraved, and that we have power to resist evil and do good.  Even this desire to resist the law is a matter of coveting, one of the many desires of the heart contrary to the will of God.


Our nature is so poisoned that the commandments of our majestic God spur and stimulate further desires to transgression.  It is like unslaked lime which sputters and heats when water is poured on it.  The depravity of the heart fights against the commandments.  The Apostle Paul writes, "Sin... wrought in me all kinds of covetousness."  Our desires to sin are intensified when we are reminded that God forbids it.  Our nature regards the commandments as limiting our pleasures.  When awareness of law is absent, desires to transgress the law are not aroused.  Sin which otherwise would be active in rebellion lies dormant and inactive.


Source:  Romans (C.O. Rosenius )