I believe there are many ways to lie – both direct and indirect. It is not the method used that constitutes dishonesty but whether or not one’s true intent is being hidden from the other person. What matters is what is in your heart, not what you speak.
God doesn’t work on technicalities, loopholes and workarounds. If you think you are being clever you are only fooling yourself. What is in your heart? Do you have the intent to decieve? Are you attempting to gain an advantage because you know something they don’t and you aren’t sharing it? Are you hiding your true intentions from others?
We should not tell or repeat known falsehoods, nor should we intentionally mislead others in any business dealings, nor should we trick others by hiding our true intentions from them. To build our integrity it is important that we keep our promises, honor our comittments and stand for the truth at all times.