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Being under the law arouses evil desires in us.

“For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” - Romans 7:5-6 ESV

Why does the law arouse evil desires in us?
The law came to show us we are evil so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God’s name (merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin). Our weakness is meant to be an opportunity to discover the glory of God. But, if we trust in ourselves, the law will show us how untrustworthy we are (by arousing our evil desires).

What does it mean to be under the law?
Being under the law is relying on our works to earn blessing, promise, salvation, and fellowship with God. To do this is sin.

“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” - Galatians 3:10-14 ESV

If we try to earn, that means our trust is in ourselves. If we approach the law that way, our desires for evil will be stirred up. In fact, we would be under a curse.

This is why we must be free from being under the law. Trusting in Christ’s work alone is getting out from under the law. If we are not under the law, the law will not arouse evil desires in us, and thus we won’t be tempted to use grace as a license to sin—for we will not desire sin. If the sinful desires are removed, we are free from sin.

“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” - Romans 6:14 ESV

In Conclusion
Trying to earn will arouse evil desires in us, and should: we should know how unworthy of trust we are. But if we rely on the finished work of Christ, we will be free from the law, and so it won’t arouse evil desires in us, and if we are free from evil desires, we are free from sin. Thus not trying to earn our salvation by what we do is not a license to sin. It is the very thing that sets us free from wanting sin. Saints, let’s stay in step with the gospel:

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” - Galatians 3:1-3 ESV