(1 Timothy 1:7-11 KJV) Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. {8} But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; {9} Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, {10} For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; {11} According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Paul says the law is good if a man use it lawfully. This would imply that a man can use the law unlawfully. The law can become bad for us if it is not used lawfully.

Verse 9 tells us that the law was not made for the righteous man. The law was given at a time when man was not "in Christ", a time when man was fully exhibiting the fallen nature of Adam.

(Romans 7:12-14 KJV) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. {13} Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. {14} For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Paul states that the law is holy, just and good. Then goes on to describe a conflict that he knows first hand. This conflict believers ought to know and understand. This conflict is not found in unbelievers; those who do not believe what Christ has done for them do not experience this conflict. This conflict has to do the effect the Law that God gave has on an individual's sin nature.

(Romans 7:18 KJV) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Paul says "in me", in his flesh, is no good thing and he cannot find how to perform that which is good.

(Romans 7:21-24 KJV) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. {22} For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: {23} But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. {24} O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Paul wanted to serve God and thought he could do so by keeping the Law. However, the more Paul tried to keep the Law, the more he sinned. The Law was given to manifest the sin in man's fallen nature. God gave the Law to the nation of Israel in order to display to all the world the utter depravity of man. The purpose the Law was given was to show man that he cannot save himself; to show man that he needs help outside of himself. The Law shows us that we cannot do it ourselves.

(Romans 7:24-25 KJV) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? {25} I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

(Romans 8:1-3 KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. {2} For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Paul calls the Law "the law of sin and death" describing the result when one tries to keep it. The problem is not with the Law; the law is good. It has never been an issue with the Law, but what is within us.

(Romans 10:2-4 KJV) For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. {3} For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. {4} For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Israel used the Law to establish their righteousness by keeping the Law. On the contrary, all this did was achieve the purpose that God had intended; it showed them that they could not do it. Today, the effect of the Law is still the same; it manifests the sin nature in man. When one attempts to keep the Law, one will always fail to attain the righteousness of God.