A Nigerian man has sparked conversations online after sharing how his experience as a member of Deeper Life Bible Church during his university years significantly influenced his personality and social life.
The man, identified as Udeme Akpan on X, reflected on his time in the church, explaining that his daily routine revolved almost entirely around Bible study, church activities, and academic work.
According to him, the lifestyle gradually reshaped his worldview and social interactions, leaving little room for friendships and casual conversations.
“I joined Deeper Life in university and that place rewired me quietly. Not in a bad way. Just deeply. No mixed conversations. No social anything. My entire personality became: Bible, lecture, repeat. I thought it was discipline. I thought I was just ‘set apart’,” he wrote.
Akpan said the experience made it difficult for him to interact comfortably in social settings, particularly with women who were not members of his family.
He explained that he often struggled to hold conversations and believed being reserved was a sign of spiritual maturity.
“Couldn’t hold five sentences with a woman who wasn’t a relative. Group settings? I was the guy smiling and nodding like a broken bobblehead. I genuinely thought silence was a spiritual gift. Nobody told me holiness and social skills weren’t mutually exclusive,” he added.
The young man noted that while he appreciates the spiritual lessons he learned, he is now intentionally working on rebuilding his confidence and social skills.
His post quickly gained attention online, with many Nigerians sharing similar experiences and opinions about balancing religious devotion with social development.
Reactions
@Shunshineinjuly wrote:
“This is the reality of many people. They got so engulfed in church activities and forgot to pick up social skills.”
@aderemi_haruna said:
“This is so true because I have a friend like that.”
@Noperfectm30416 commented:
“Sometimes we don’t question what we’re taught until years later. Better late than never.”
Another user observed that many religious environments unintentionally discourage young people from developing interpersonal skills, while others argued that individuals should personally strike a balance between spirituality and social growth.
The discussion has continued to generate debate on social media, with many Nigerians sharing stories about how strict religious environments shaped their personalities, relationships, and communication skills during their formative years.
