What does "I would not have known sin" reveal about human nature? The Verse in Focus “What then shall we say? Is the Law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been aware of sin except through the Law. For I would not have known what coveting was if the Law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’” (Romans 7:7) Human Nature on Display • We are not naturally self-aware of our moral failings. • Left to ourselves, we define “right” and “wrong” by comparison with others, not by God’s standard. • We tend to excuse inner attitudes (coveting, lust, pride) so long as outward actions look acceptable. God’s Law as a Mirror • The Law exposes what is already in the heart. • Like a mirror, it does not create grime; it reveals it. • James 1:23-24 compares God’s word to a mirror that shows our true condition. The Blinding Power of Self-Deception • Jeremiah 17:9 — “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” • Proverbs 14:12 — “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” • Because the heart deceives itself, external revelation is essential. Sin Begins Beneath the Surface • Paul chooses coveting— an invisible, internal desire— to prove the point. • Exodus 20:17 targets the heart long before any theft, adultery, or violence occurs. • Jesus echoes this in Matthew 5:27-28, calling lust adultery of the heart. Law Awakens the Conscience • Romans 3:20 — “Through the Law we become conscious of sin.” • Psalm 19:7 — “The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.” • Without that awakening, we remain spiritually numb. What “I Would Not Have Known Sin” Reveals About Us 1. Dependence: We rely on God’s revelation, not inner intuition, to grasp moral truth. 2. Vulnerability: Our hearts quickly normalize sinful thoughts when unchallenged. 3. Responsibility: Once the Law illumines sin, we are accountable for how we respond. From Conviction to Transformation • The Law diagnoses; Christ heals (Romans 8:3-4). • Galatians 3:24 — “The Law became our guardian to lead us to Christ.” • Through new birth, God writes His Law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). Living in Light of the Lesson • Stay in Scripture daily; it keeps the mirror clear. • Welcome conviction as God’s mercy, not condemnation. • Let the Spirit move from exposing sin to producing obedience (Ezekiel 36:27). |
    |