1corinthians 15:
56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
Oh ya, you left a word out of your post.
Genesis 2:
(9) And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
It is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The law is a school master that makes us aware of our sinfulness, and the need for salvation.