"For when were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death." --- Romans 7:5

Aroused by the law? How does the law, which is good, arouse sinful passions within us?

Is it that without the presence of the law to state that something is sinful, it wouldn't be sinful? Perhaps.

The more probably correct target of blame lies squarely on man's sinful nature. Rebellion; a desire to place ourselves higher than the Most High One and declare ourselves the "captain of our lives" and final decision-maker. We long so deeply, from the Garden of Eden, to be equal with God that we disobey Him, seeking to elevate our will to the same level as His.

The Law as a separate, standalone entity does not create sin any more than light creates darkness; the presence of light reveals the presence of darkness. Without the one, we would know nothing else and thus think nothing of its opposite.

The Law is good, but it is not the final goal; it is merely an instructor. It is a means to an end, not an end in itself.

This ties nicely in to a sermon preached at my church recently.

The Law functions as a tutor; as we grow in it, and mature in God's ways and love, we no longer see it as a rigid checklist, but as a series of commands that permeate all aspects of life, and ultimately, a guidebook to practical ways for living out God's love.

The immature Christian is Javert, the mature Christian is Valjean.
The immature Christian seeks to follow the list of the law, down to the letter; the mature Christian seeks to follow the message of the law, in spirit and love.
The immature Christian seeks to shown as righteous above men; the mature Christian is well aware of past and current sin, and grieves it while rejoicing in God's mercy.

The immature Christian mimics Pharisees and Sanhedrin; the mature Christian mimics Christ.