Although it cannot save him, it can show him that he needs to be saved. It teaches man that he is a hopelessly lost and undone sinner. They do not have a clue. Western civilization is fast approaching the paganism of the first century, and, except in rural areas, Christian influence upon those outside the church is a thing of the past. Far more pervasive and powerful is the influence of pop culture.
Many movies trivialize theft by portraying robbers in a very sympathetic light, even as heroes.
The police on TV cop shows are as sexually immoral as the cocaine dealers they pursue. Magazines like Time and Newsweek , rock and country-western music, TV sitcoms, and even government agencies condition people to view promiscuity and homosexuality as morally neutral or even good. Neither do non-Christians have any inkling how terribly evil sin is in the sight of Holy God. Consequently, man needs an objective standard to teach him not only what sin is, but also how bad it is. As the unbeliever compares his life to its demands, he finds that, try as he may, he can never measure up to its strict requirements.