Lt. Col. Dave Grossman on 3 Types of Aggression

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is a US Army Ranger, paratrooper, and former West Point psychology professor. He holds a Black Belt in Hojutsu—the martial art of the firearm—and has been inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. His distinguished military and academic career has made him one of the foremost authorities on human aggression, violence, and the psychological effects of combat.

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He’s the author of more than a dozen books, including On Spiritual Warfare, which is described this way:

“Evil from the world, the flesh, and the devil preys on those we love and stalks our every move. If we’re not fighting back, we’re losing. In On Spiritual Warfare, the sequel to On Spiritual Combat, Dave Grossman and Chris Pascoe guide Christians through operations of advanced spiritual warfare. Battle the forces of evil with 22 intensely practical WARNORDS, or military “warning orders,” drawn from the writings of Luther and Erasmus.

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“These strategic warnings and tactical orders will equip you to

• recognize and fearlessly confront evil,
• confess and repent of your own sin,
• serve others as you become sanctified, and
• mature into a triumphant spiritual warrior of God.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Self-Defense In Spiritual Warfare: Know Your Enemies ]

“Filled with Scripture, powerful hymns, battle prep questions, and practical direction, On Spiritual Warfare is the map you need to successfully complete your mission from God. You become victorious as a Christian by living virtuously. Victory through virtue!”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Ministry of Protection: Why Church Safety Teams Matter and How Serving in the Ministry of Protection Brings Clarity to the Calling ]

The following is an excerpt appropriate for church security team members (“sheepdogs” as Lt. Col. Grossman calls them):

3 Types of Aggression

1. PREDATORY AGGRESSION (Premeditated/Cold-Blooded):
•  Definition: Premeditated, planned, and deliberate aggression, often used to take, damage, or dominate.
•  Goal: The ruthless desire to harm someone, without regard to laws or empathy.
•  Characteristics: Motivated by desire, greed, and selfishness; intentionally victimizing others.
•  Examples: A robbery or rape; torturing or humiliating someone for sadistic pleasure; manipulating others for selfish gain.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Biblical Case Why Every Church Needs Armed Security ]

2. REACTIVE AGGRESSION (Angry/Revengeful/Predatory):
•  Definition: A high-arousal, emotional response to a perceived threat, unfairness, or personal feelings of jealousy.
•  Goal: To remove a perceived threat, reduce pain or self-loathing.
•  Characteristics: Impulsive, angry, and often disorganized; motivated by fear, or hatred of self and others.
•  Examples: Shouting in anger; a terrorist seeking to destroy a different religion or culture; a disgruntled school killer who feels rejected by society.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security: Detect Threats With the “Power of Hello” ]

3. INSTRUMENTAL AGRESSION (Proactive/Ethical):
•  Definition: Power used as a tool (instrument) to reach a specific, non-predatory result.
•  Goal: Work hard and follow the rules; trying to do what’s right; enforcing the law.
•  Characteristics: Strategically planned and tactically ethical; following an established model.
•  Examples: Hunting for food, trying to achieve a goal in sports, arresting a predator, or fighting a war to protect innocent people.

SHEEPDOGS only use “instrumental” aggression — never predatory or reactive aggression!

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Bible Verses Applicable to Self-Defense and Church Security ]

Satan stimulates predatory behavior for pure sadistic pleasure and with the intention of creating a disproportionate desire for revenge. God’s servants must protect innocent people from predation, attempt to de-escalate tensions, enforce the law, and ensure justice.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Gentle Response De-Escalation Training for Church Security Teams ]

Follow Lt. Col. Grossman’s Facebook page.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]

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