The link is, that so many times I hear people talking about lying where the reason is supposedly for someone else's benefit. It puts a loving and sensitive face on deceit. Ultimately, however, it is the pragmatic decision that the consequences of telling a lie are perceived as more beneficial than the consequences of telling the truth. It is pragmatism over godliness. It is telling God that you know better how to deal with this situation than he does. It is telling God that he's wrong and can get stuffed. It is sin.
Please do not do it.
God loves you very much and tells you how to live rightly because he's (a) right and (b) knows what is best for you. It is always most beneficial to obey God, even when it doesn't look like it. There is a utility in godliness.
When we act out of our own view of what is most beneficial for us and this is contrary to God's instructions we grossly overestimate our ability to foresee the consequences of our actions.
Instead of lying to get out of awkward situations, and developing the habit of avoiding awkwardness, simply get used to being absolutely and completely truthful. How can people trust you if you don't?