For former Lance Cpl. Monifa F. Sterling, the Biblical quote “no weapon formed against me shall prosper” is layered with meaning. On one level, it speaks of her religious devotion. On another, to her unwavering dedication to protecting her country. Now it represents Sterling’s effort to turn military religious law to her advantage.

Sterling was demoted and recommended for bad-conduct discharge in 2013 for refusing to remove that same quote from her desk in Camp Lejeune. Now the Marine is bringing her case to the nation’s highest appeals court to protect her religious rights and reverse her demotion.

When she was first prosecuted, military lawyers claimed that the conflict over Biblical quotes was just one instance of Sterling’s antagonism towards her commanding officer.

“She submitted no evidence that she was pressured to change her religious behavior or modify her religious beliefs,” government attorneys argued. “To the contrary, she refused to modify her behavior, and set her own desires above that of unit cohesion and military discipline.”

However, a group of conservative lawmakers and lawyers are rallying behind Sterling on the grounds that the Marine Corps violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which protects individuals from federal laws that “substantially burdens” their religious practice.

Sterling’s attorney said that this case “has the potential to affect the religious freedom of millions of Americans who serve in our armed forces.”