To say something outloud which you do not believe is to lie. Lying is most clearly forbidden by God.
We have all heard the line in some romantic movie about "I would rather die than hurt you." Well, this is it in practice. Rather than violate one of the laws established by God, and insult truth in its very existence, this man chose to die.
He loved God more than he loved himself.
All lying is not forbidden by God anymore than all killing is not forbidden by God. Many lives were spared during the holocaust as a result of lying.
People lie daily, I think lying to save a life, would be acceptable, don't you?