__________________________________________________________________________In no way, but it is the strength of sin and produces sinful lust in all those who are under the yoke of legalism. Those in these legalist groups are always the most sinful of people. They hide it just as the Pharisee, yet in the dark places they are very wicked, even beyond the heathen. Any who "claims" they are living by the law is really not alive at all, but they are consumed in wickedness, hypocrisy and every sort of evil.
I think I understand what you're saying.
Now, the Law does not "produce sinful lust", except, "...the commandment, which [was ordained] to life, I found [to be] unto death." Why? Because satan used the commandment to seduce us! So "The Law is holy, and the commandment holy, just, and good." Be careful: for the evil one that used the Law to seduce man, will also attempt to use Grace to lead man astray: even to keep him from the gospel that saves!
Who is a "legalist"? If I say that only the gospel saves, am I not being a legalist? If I say that only grace saves, without defining what is grace, am I not being a legalist? Of course!
If I correctly define grace as the Lord "...died for our sins...was buried...and that he rose from the dead...", and deny the Lord's work in me: am I not being a legalist? For what is the real proof of our faith, except our death to sin, being buried with him"...by baptism unto death...", and having the Holy Spirit in us, even the Spirit that will raise us from the dead? Is it just faith in only ONE element, and not all? Either way, I confess that, too, am a "legalist"!
I would not say that legalist is worse than a heathen. The heathen deny God and everything that is holy. A legalist (at least some) are either seeking God, or believe they have found God.